The President of France Emmanuel Macron to Visit Vilnius University

On Tuesday, September 29, the President of France Emmanuel Macron will visit Vilnius University (VU) and take part in a discussion with university students. After the discussion, the Senate of Vilnius University will award Mr Macron the title of Doctor Honoris Causa of the University.

The discussion with Vilnius University students will be moderated by assoc Prof Margarita Šešelgytė, director of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science of VU. Questions for Mr Macron can also be asked online.

At the end of the discussion in the VU Aula Parva, a solemn ceremony is planned in the Theatre Hall, during which the VU Senate will award Mr Macron the title of Doctor Honoris Causa. This exceptional status will be granted to the French leader for the idea of creating joint European university networks and expanding the Erasmus+ exchange initiative.

“I am convinced that Mr Macron’s idea to integrate European universities is a good reason for awarding the French President the title of Doctor Honoris Causa of Vilnius University. By granting this award we will express our commitment to the idea of alliances of European universities. It can be noted that the President of France has initiated the process of these significant changes and in doing so he managed to preserve the idea of traditional university and respect for autonomy,” Prof Rimvydas Petrauskas, Rector of Vilnius University, says.

Mr Macron first made such a proposal in his famous speech at the University of Sorbonne in Paris in 2017. This speech has become the framework for the vision of the Gothenburg Summit of EU leaders in the area of education and culture. With regard to globalisation and the European context, the leader of France has addressed issues such as security, migration crisis, stability in developing countries and foreign policy, the ecological situation, sustainable development, industrial and financial power.

The President of France said that investment in knowledge and culture is one of the main factors in seeking to achieve a breakthrough in problem areas by consolidating European identity, ensuring the development of cultural intelligence and linguistic diversity, increasing social diversity and accessibility to mobility for all, and strengthening European studies at all levels of education.

By making the proposal he expressed his belief in the necessity to deepen European cooperation and the need to accelerate and expand the processes of European integration. “I will talk about Europe... I will continue talking about it. Because it is our battleground, our history, our identity, our horizon, which protects us and warrant us the future," Mr Macron then stated in his speech.

Two years later, the European Commission announced the first pilot European university networks which were allocated EUR 5 million for the period of three years to establish joint structures and strengthen partnerships. In 2019, Vilnius University, together with the Arqus European University Alliance achieved new opportunities for deeper international cooperation in the fields of science and studies. The Alliance now unites the universities of Vilnius, Lyon (France), Bergen (Norway), Graz (Austria), Leipzig (Germany), Padua (Italy) and Granada (Spain).

The meeting with Vilnius University students will be broadcast live on VU Facebook and YouTube, as well as on the Lithuanian National Television and Radio website LRT.lt. Registration of media representatives to the events of the French President’s visit to Vilnius University is here.